Happy Holidays
Without Emergency Rooms

© Copyright 2002 by Susan Dunn

NAVIGATION

FOUR self defense tips that can save your life.

Click HERE for the story, Checklists and How to Use Them.

Responding to Hijackings, a strategy to keep in mind if you are ever involved.

Click on Health * Life * Auto * Long Term Care * Home * Dental * Legal

Holidays are times of exuberance, and sometimes that can lead to accidents. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget to pay attention to safety. The last thing you need is a trip to the ER, so keep safety in mind over the holidays. You can avoid the emergency room during the holiday seasons by planning ahead.

INSURANCE.

Especially if you're traveling, check out your insurance situation -- what does your insurance carrier define as an emergency? Do you need to be preauthorized and if so are they open 24/7? Be sure and carry your insurance cards with you at all times, and have an idea of where the nearest hospital is.

HAZARDS.

Common causes of accidents and illness are fires, falls and overdoing. Keep your home walks and pathways clear, inside and out. Watch out for ice, sleet, snow, toys, and even suitcases impeding pathways.

CHILDREN.

Take precautions to protect your children and visiting grandchildren. Don't get too busy to buckle them up and bundle in.

It's cold and flu season, and letting your children get off their schedule and eat wrong, throws fatigue and malnutrition into the picture. Make sure the children can't be injured by holiday decorations and keep a special eye on them when you have guests.

Remember that many people carry attractively packaged medication in their purses and suitcases and leave them lying around where children can get into trouble.

TOYS.

Select age-appropriate toys for your children to play with and keep an eye on the kids as they roam around the house amidst the chaos of family gatherings.

Just being "family" doesn't make "strangers" safe enough to leave your children alone with them.

FALLS.

If you're having houseguests or have rearranged your furniture because of holiday decorations, take added precautions such as turning on extra night-lights, and reminding people that things have changed.

Remember that people who wear bifocals have trouble judging steps, so alert your guests of step-ups in your house. You can also provide your houseguest with a flashlight in their room.

FIRE.

Watch out for fire hazards like faulty lights, overloaded sockets, and candles. Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, and watch them while they're burning.

Keep your live tree well watered, and make sure you have a fire extinguisher that works. Turn off the indoor decorations when you aren't at home.

When was the last time you checked out your fire alarm?

OVER-EATING.

Another common ER complaint is caused by overeating. Eating too much, too fast, and also eating strange things your digestive tract isn't used to can cause severe abdominal pain and bloating. If this starts, stop eating, and just drink water.

ALCOHOL.

Alcohol is the number one cause of accidents during the holidays, so don't drink and do anything.

Save the cocktails till after you've strung the outdoor lights and finished cooking and gotten home safe from the party.

HOLIDAY HEART SYNDROME.

This is a real phenomenon that shows up regularly in emergency rooms. If you have heart trouble, too much alcohol can cause heart palpitations and shortness of breath. If this occurs, get to an ER immediately.

MALL SAFETY.

Shopping is a big part of the holidays. When you go to the mall, drive with caution because others may be preoccupied, in a hurry, or intoxicated.

Park in safe, well-lit places, and lock your car doors.

When you're inside shopping, keep your purse closed and with you, and know where your wallet is.

TRAVELING.

Traveling presents its own hazards. If you anticipate a car trip, have your car checked before you go -- brakes, tires, antifreeze, wiper fluid, lights, battery, and wipers.

Pack some warm blankets in the trunk, carry ample drinking water, flares, and a flashlight with fresh batteries.

Be rested when you travel and don't drink or take sedating medications.

Plan enough time so you don't have to rush, and pull over and rest if you need to.

WEATHER.

Know what to do in weather conditions. Be especially concerned with sudden changes in the weather. Snow, sleet and rain make driving hazardous, but can also cause falls and broken bones.

If your home is on a steep hill, or out of the way location you can plan out the directions to your home for emergency vehicle drivers.

FIRST-AID KIT.

You also should have a first-aid kit in the car containing aspirin, bandages, safety pins, sharp scissors, elastic wraps, gauze and adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, disposable cold packs, and change for a pay phone even if you carry a cell phone.

LIFTING.

Bend and lift correctly, using your legs for maximum strength. If it's too heavy for you to lift or push comfortably by yourself wait for help before you move it.

Don't ever try to force heavy objects to move, or lunge against them to gain a few inches at a time. People have been known to break their back just moving a case of pop.

MENTAL HEALTH.

Guard your mental health as well as your physical health. If you're vulnerable because of the recent death of a loved one, a lack of family support, or personal depression, allow for this. Stay on your medication, and get help if you need it.

FUN.

Last but not least,

get plenty of rest,
eat right,
keep to your exercise program,
and have fun!

(c) Susan Dunn is a personal and professional coach who coaches people who want to make the most out of their lives. Internet courses and ebooks. Visit her on the web at www.susandunn.cc and mailto: sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezine.

* The Holiday News section below changes FREQUENTLY. Be sure to bookmark this page and come back OFTEN. <control d> does it for most folks.

Back To Our Front Page

How to Spot and STOP Elder Abuse
Are Your Children Safe at Home? FOUR self defense tips that can save your life.
Responding to Hijackings, a strategy to keep in mind if you are ever involved.
Shelter from Abusive Situations
Protection and Safety for Women,
Understanding Domestic Violence

Safety and First Aid in the Great Outdoors.
Cleaning Your Credit Up After Bankruptcy
Auto Insurance Terms you Want to Know.

Your Emergency Kit, and What Goes Into It: We tend to expect things to go on as they always have. When we turn on the faucet we expect water to gush out. When we turn on the lights we expect the room to be illuminated. "That's the way it's always been." Unfortunately ----
Using Your Cell Phone While Driving is DANGEROUS!
Protect yourself in the parking lot
Protect yourself against identity theft
10 Things You MUST KNOW About Flood Insurance.
Living Clean in an Unclean World. Avoid the chemicals that can turn you off.
Clear Plastic Water Bottles, ARE THEY TOXIC?

Sometimes it seems like there is a lawyer in every pot, but that is only until you actually need one. I think that's because when you actually need a lawyer you are totally focused on the need to find a GOOD one. A friend of mine has just created a web site to help you find the best attorneys in each area. Attorney-2-Win was founded so that Americans needing mesothelioma attorneys, car accident lawyers, medical malpractice attorneys or real estate lawyers have an online resource to consider their choice of legal counsel.
Using the Internet to find Reliable Insurance
Protect Your Child From Internet Predators
After the Tooth is Pulled

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chrons Disease, symptoms and Treatment

Don't Invalidate Your Own Insurance Policy
The Essentials of Boat Insurance
Getting Ready for a Hurricane
Get Ready To Travel Into Malaria Countries

What to do when your health insurance claim is denied.

De-Stress Yourself -- without stress.

The Latest News about the New AIDS Plague
Are Smokers UNLUCKY?

Are You Running The Risk Of Diverticular Disease?

The Power of the Plain Old Placebo

Until now medical alert systems for seniors were only available for use in and around the home. Independent seniors had no quick & easy way to call for assistance once they left the home. Now you can reach help from almost anywhere.

Protecting your right to privacy on the web
Check out your hospital, before you go in.
Check out your medical status. You may be the only one who cares about you.
Be Careful what you eat.
Before you accept an ambulance.
Insurance Bargains for you and yours.
Be Prepared, a free report from Joyce Pierce.
Protect yourself from Earthquakes  .
Click HERE for the story, Checklists and How to Use Them.
Web Site Recovery Protection
Rules of the Road for your next trip.